(Reuters) -Apple ( AAPL ) and Alibaba's ( BABA ) rollout of artificial intelligence services in China is being delayed by a Beijing regulator, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday.

The tech companies in February announced a deal to support iPhones' AI services offering in China, a move likely to help the U.S. company ease falling smartphone sales in its key market.

But their applications have been stalled at the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), FT reported, citing two people familiar with the matter said, due to increasing geopolitical uncertainties between China and the U.S.

Apple ( AAPL ) and Alibaba ( BABA ) did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.